By Kisawo Fred
Manufacturers, herbalists and media houses have been cautioned against advertising herbal beverages (Healthy drinks) that are not certified by all required organizations.
While addressing a joint press conference in Kampala, the National Drug Authority (NDA), Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) expressed concern over the increasing number of advertisements of products claimed to be of nutritional and therapeutic value on televisions, radios and social media.
The organizations claim that the advertisements exaggerate the therapeutic capability of the drinks being advertised hence they not only mislead the public but also put lives at risk.
According to section 33(1)© of the National Drug Policy Authority Act, Cap 206, it prohibits the advertisement and publication of information that is circulated to promote the use of a drug for prevention or treatment of any disease or relating to enhancing human pretense and section 5(1) to (5) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap 278 prohibits the false labelling or advertisement of food or drug.
It’s upon the above that the secretary for National Drug Authority, David Nahamya urged the advertisers and manufacturers to seek approval from NDA before promoting any product with claims of cure and treatment.
In a similar way, the acting executive director for Uganda Communications Commission, Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo said all media houses that publish such advertisements do it illegally since they contravene sections 12 and 13 of Annex 14 of the Advertising standards issued by the UCC.
